KINGSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PAULS VALLEY —The Kingston High School marching band brought home a total of seven trophies, including Class 3A Sweepstakes at the Pauls Valley Marching Band Championships Saturday in Pauls Valley.

Head Band Director Jon Dohrer said the healthy haul of hardware came as a welcome shot in the arm for band members, who had worked hard during band camp, and endured a rigorous rehearsal schedule.

“It’s been a while since we had a day like this, and I am very happy for the kids,” Dohrer said. “They work their butts off. They get here early and leave late. They overcome injuries, they take care of business in the classroom and they do every single thing we ask of them. They absolutely earned it.”

The band is under the direction of Dohrer, Assistant Band Director Caitlin Braden and Colorguard Director Cherlyn Snow. The colorguard routine was written by Nichole Taylor.

In addition to the Sweepstakes designation, the Pride of Texomaland earned the following accolades: Outstanding Field Band, Class 3A; First place, Large 3A Field Competition; Field Competition, High Music Score; Outstanding Drum Major, Class 3A Field; Outstanding Drum Major, Class 3A Parade; Third place, Class 3A Parade Competition.

Dohrer said the victory was particularly gratifying for this year’s seniors, Brady Fox, Christina Jones, Zac Meeks, Hallie Swearingen and Nathan White. That group overcame many struggles over the years to help put the band in a position to succeed, according to Dohrer, who said the seniors’ contribution will be felt long after they have moved on.

“I’m as happy as I’ve been in a long time,” an ebullient Fox said after the awards ceremony.

Swearingen and junior Trinity Holland teamed up to win the “Outstanding Drum Major” award both in the parade and the field categories. Dohrer said he was not surprised.

“Oh, I knew we had a shot at those captions,” their director said. “Hallie and Trinity are smart, talented individuals who push themselves and their teammates to be better. They just get it done.”

Junior Captain Aleah Taylor said she was still trying to digest the magnitude of the event the next day.

“When I woke up, I checked all the pictures, because I was like, ‘Wait, was that real or what?’” Taylor said.

Next up

The Pride now turns its attention to the Chickasaw Festival Band Day Extravaganza this Saturday in Tishomingo. The band will perform at 12:30 p.m. in parade competition through downtown, and then will step off for field competition at 6 p.m., at Tishomingo High School.

Members of the community are welcome and encouraged to come over and support the band. There is no admission charge.

The Pride of Texomaland will conclude its contest season with the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association Regional Contest Oct. 10 in Lawton.

Preparing for New Orleans

The band is also making plans to march in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade Dec. 31 in New Orleans. Currently, the band is raising money to fund the trip by asking for donations in exchange for chances for a drawing for a Lenovo laptop computer. The drawing is Oct. 13 before the Davis-Kingston football game. Tickets will be on sale until that time, and may be purchased from any member of high school band, or by coming to the band room in person.